Born in Mexico, Amado Gonzalez always loved to draw and paint. He came to San Francisco at the age of 13 and eventually taught drawing and design for 25 years as a part-time professor at San Francisco City College. For the past 27 years, Mr. Gonzalez has painted portraits. Twelve of his portraits hang at the University of California, San Francisco, including five portraits of past chancellors. For enjoyment and relaxation, however, he paints landscapes.

Thoughts:

Remembering some of the fierce and fearful masks used in Mexican ceremonial dances, I decided to do a mask that was benevolent and happy. I adapted a flower design that is typical of the pottery from the states of Jalisco and Michoacan in Mexico. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed doing it.